La Commenda di Pre

We stand before the Commenda di San Giovanni di Pre, one of Genoa's most profound historical intersections. This monumental complex, dating back to 1180, represents the dual nature of medieval life: spiritual devotion and…

We begin our exploration in the Lower Church of San Giovanni di Pre, a space that originally served as the primary place of worship for the pilgrims and Crusaders housed in the hospice. This level is characterized by its heavy…

Ascending to the Upper Church, we encounter a space that feels markedly different from the level below. While the lower church was for the public and the pilgrims, the upper church was primarily reserved for the Knights of the…

The massive halls of the hospice area are where the true mission of the Commenda was realized. In an era when travel was fraught with danger and disease, the Knights provided a safe haven for those journeying to the Holy Land. …

We now enter the sections dedicated to the MEI, the Museo dell'Emigrazione Italiana. The decision to house this museum within the Commenda was a strategic effort to revitalize the Via di Pre neighborhood and to provide a home for…

A significant portion of the museum is dedicated to the sea voyage itself, a period of transition that could last several weeks and was often defined by hardship. Here, the museum uses innovative interpretations by Genoese actors…

The final sections of the museum explore the arrival in destinations like Buenos Aires, Brazil, New York, and Ellis Island. The struggle did not end with the arrival; it was merely the beginning of a new set of challenges:…

As we exit the Commenda di San Giovanni di Pre, we leave behind a building that has served as a sanctuary for nearly a thousand years. It has witnessed the departure of iron-clad knights and the arrival of weary pilgrims; it has…